The Past & Present Society and the Institute of Historical Research will offer up to three two-year postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships in History for 2024-26, tenable at the Institute from 1 October 2024. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a broad interest in processes of social, economic, political, and cultural change, as manifested in their field of study. The Society wishes to promote work of a kind that might be published in the journal Past & Present and its book series, which is published by the Oxford University Press.

Eligibility
The Fellowships will be awarded to postdoctoral applicants who have completed a doctoral degree in history in the 18 months prior to the submission deadline for this application, or who will have submitted their thesis for examination by 1 October in the academic year in which the Fellowship is to be held. It is a strict condition of the Fellowship that the thesis should have been submitted by that date. Applicants may be of any nationality, and their PhD (or equivalent) may have been awarded in any country. Those who have previously held another stipendiary postdoctoral research fellowship of 12 months or more, with a salary or stipend attached to it, or a full-time lectureship, will not be eligible. The Fellowship cannot be held in conjunction with any other substantial maintenance grant, nor can it be used to fund a sabbatical year for the holder of a permanent academic position.

A condition of the award is that Fellows should undertake further historical research and writing. The Fellowships are envisaged as an opportunity for Fellows to develop their doctoral research for publication and/or to work on a postdoctoral project; applicants should clearly indicate their plans in both respects. Fellows will be encouraged to submit their articles or books to the editors of Past & Present for consideration. Fellows will also be asked to contribute to the journal in other ways too: either as a ‘virtual issue’, a ‘conversation’, a ‘viewpoint’ or some other format, either online or in print, or both. If an event (e.g., workshop or seminar) would help to create such contributions then some modest financial assistance will be made available. For the duration of the award, Fellows will become  Members of the Past and Present Board. They will be expected to attend up to three Board meetings per year and contribute as other Board members do: e.g., commenting on the current policies and future direction of the journal; suggesting areas of expertise and debate to encourage submissions. Fellows will also be expected to make a brief presentation on their research to the Board at some point during the award. (Travel expenses associated with attending board meetings will be paid). Additional duties, such as mentoring MA students supported by the Society, might also be expected where appropriate.

Fellows will be required to be based at the IHR in London, and participate in the activities of the Institute, by regular attendance at and presentation of papers to appropriate seminars – including the Fellows’ Seminar - and by giving information and help to fellow scholars working in the same field. Fellows are expected to develop their own ideas for collaborative activities while at the Institute and some limited funds will be available to help support these activities.